12 Days Of Christmas
One of the most instantly recognizable holiday songs also boasts one of the most unique histories of any Christmas carol. The exact origins and author of “The 12 Days of Christmas” are unknown, but according to the Catholic News Agency, the song was written for Catholic children in England sometime after 1558. Between 1558 and 1829, Catholics in England were forbidden to practice their faith openly. The song “The 12 Days of Christmas” was used to teach Catholic children living under such restrictions about their faith. As a result, the song is filled with hidden meaning, even if modern celebrants largely sing it to express their festive moods and not necessarily their respective faiths.
12 Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Three French hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Three French hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
10 lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
11 pipers piping
10 lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
12 drummers drumming
11 pipers piping
10 lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five golden rings
Four calling birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
Deck The Halls
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the flowing bowl before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I sing of beauty’s treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Laughing, quaffing all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Deck The Halls
Holiday cheer is front and center in communities across the globe during the holiday season. This year, celebrants can make this joyous season even more special by singing some of their favorite holiday songs. “Deck the Halls” is a favorite among holiday celebrants who love to “fa la la.” In fact, those who sing the song in its entirety can expect to sing “la la” dozens of times before moving on to sing another holiday favorite.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Holiday cheer is front and center in communities across the globe during the holiday season. This year, celebrants can make this joyous season even more special by singing some of their favorite holiday songs. One holiday season favorite is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” a familiar tune that audiences first heard when it was sung by Judy Garland in the MGM musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” in 1944. The song was a hit among American troops serving in World War II and remains a beloved staple of holiday celebrations today.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yuletide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore
Gather near to us once more
Through the years,
We all will be together
If the fates allow,
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yuletide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years,
We all will be together
If the fates allow,
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
O Holy Night
O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth!
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and
glorious morn.
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night when Christ was born.
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Bonds shall we make until we all are brothers,
and in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful
chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born.
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!
O Holy Night
The story of “O Holy Night” can be traced to a request made by a 19th century French priest. In the fall of 1847, that priest asked a French merchant named Placide Cappeau to write a Christmas poem. Cappeau’s poem was eventually shared with French composer Adolphe Adam, who quickly set the poem to music. The resulting song made its debut on Christmas Eve 1847 and has been a beloved holiday song ever since.
Let It Snow
Holiday cheer is front and center in communities across the globe during the holiday season. This year, celebrants can make this joyous season even more special by singing some of their favorite holiday songs. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” is a beloved holiday tune with an interesting history. Despite it now being instantly associated with the holiday season, the song does not actually allude to any holiday. Perhaps even more amusing is the fact that the song was written in California during a heat wave!
Let It Snow
Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
It doesn’t show signs of stopping,
And I’ve bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I’ll hate going out in the storm!
All the way home I’ll be warm.
The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we’re still
good-bying,
But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight! Oh,
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
A day or two ago
I thought I’d take a ride
And soon, Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side,
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
A day or two ago,
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow,
And on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh,
He laughed as there I sprawling lie,
But quickly drove away.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Now the ground is white
Go it while you’re young,
Take the girls tonight
and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bobtailed
Two forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! you’ll take the lead.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle Bells
The popular Christmas carol “Jingle Bells” has an interesting history that remains a topic of debate even now. Written by New England native James Lord Pierpont, “Jingle Bells” was never intended to be a Christmas song, and in fact does not even mention Christmas or any other holiday. In addition, the song’s birthplace is disputed, so much so that there are two commemorative plaques in two different cities, each of which claims to be the place where Pierpont purportedly wrote the song in the 1850s. One plaque is in Medford, Massachusetts, where Pierpont is said to have written the song from a tavern while watching sleigh races taking place outside. The other plaque is in Savannah, Georgia, where locals believe Pierpont wrote the lyrics prior to leading a sing-along of the song at a local church in 1857.
Silent Night
In 2018, the popular Christmas carol “Silent Night” celebrated the 200th anniversary of its first performance. The lyrics to “Silent Night” were written by Austrian Roman Catholic priest Joseph Mohr in 1816. Over the years, the melody has been credited to the likes of legendary composers such as Mozart and Beethoven. However, a manuscript handwritten by Mohr and discovered in 1995 revealed that the Austrian composer Franz Xaver Gruber composed the music to this beloved song.
Silent Night
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in Heavenly peace!
Sleep in Heavenly peace!
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, Love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
O Christmas Tree
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Not only green when summer’s here
But also when it’s cold and drear
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
Such pleasure do you bring me
For every year this Christmas tree
Brings to us such joy and glee
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
You’ll ever be unchanging
A symbol of goodwill and love
You’ll ever be unchanging
Each shining light, each silver bell
No one alive spreads cheer so well
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
You’ll ever be unchanging
O Christmas Tree
“O Christmas Tree” is a wildly popular holiday song. In fact, the song is so popular that there are many different versions, each of which is based on a traditional German folk song. That song, “O Tannenbaum,” is centuries old and has nothing todo with Christmas.
Auld Lang Syne
“Auld Lang Syne” is a Scottish poem that was written by Robert Burns in 1788. Burns claimed when he wrote the words down and put them to music, and later sent them the poem to the Scots Musical Museum, that “Auld Lang Syne” was an ancient song, but he had been the first to record it on paper. According to Scotland.org, the phrase “auld lang syne” translates roughly to “for old times’ sake.” Others have translated it to mean “time goes by” or even as “once upon a time.” The song is about preserving old friendships and reminiscing about events that occurred during the year. Many people sing it to evoke fellowship and nostalgia, though most cannot fully get past the first verse of the song. Its lyrics are a challenge to the unfamiliar – even among those who grew up in the United Kingdom. According to a 2018 poll by the British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, just 3 percent of people who live in England know the words to “Auld Lang Syne.” Among Scots, only 7 percent know all the lyrics. Even still, people may be content to hum along when “Auld Lang Syne” is traditionally sung on New Year’s Eve.
Auld Lang Syne
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For days of auld lang syne
And pu’d the gowans fine
View the Full Lyrics
Sin days of auld lang syne
We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn
Frae morning sun till dine
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin days of auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For days of auld lang syne
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp
And surely I’ll be mine
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere
And gie’s a hand o’ thine
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne